I was able to view this on Netflix streaming. I found every minute of it to be entertaining and interesting.
The late 1950s, all of the 1960s, and part of the 1970s were years of important change, socially and politically, and the changing music reflected this. Greenwich Village was the right place at the right time. It had a certain atmosphere that allowed all types to feel comfortable and accepted there. At least according to the filmmakers, it was the primary fermentation vessel for the emerging band of singer- songwriters.
I grew to young adulthood in the 1960s, in fact I am pretty much the same age as many of them featured in this film. I pretty clearly recall back in the 1960s and 1970s, buying records of my favorite singers and groups, never giving any thought to where it all came from or what their influences were. This film fills in lots of gaps.
In truth very few of those singer-songwriter pioneers were particularly good singers. They sang on pitch but we listened to them not for the quality of their individual singing but for the harmony, in groups like 'Peter, Paul and Mary' or 'The Mamas and the Papas', and for the novelty of their messages. Likewise with individual artists, like Bob Dylan, James Taylor, or Judy Collins, we took notice because of their music and lyrics.
All the important singer-songwriters of that era are featured in this film, in small and larger parts.
A thoroughly enjoyable film, the only downside is to see how all those cute young men and young women singers I remember from the 1960s have become old men and women. A quick look in the mirror confirms that I have too!
The late 1950s, all of the 1960s, and part of the 1970s were years of important change, socially and politically, and the changing music reflected this. Greenwich Village was the right place at the right time. It had a certain atmosphere that allowed all types to feel comfortable and accepted there. At least according to the filmmakers, it was the primary fermentation vessel for the emerging band of singer- songwriters.
I grew to young adulthood in the 1960s, in fact I am pretty much the same age as many of them featured in this film. I pretty clearly recall back in the 1960s and 1970s, buying records of my favorite singers and groups, never giving any thought to where it all came from or what their influences were. This film fills in lots of gaps.
In truth very few of those singer-songwriter pioneers were particularly good singers. They sang on pitch but we listened to them not for the quality of their individual singing but for the harmony, in groups like 'Peter, Paul and Mary' or 'The Mamas and the Papas', and for the novelty of their messages. Likewise with individual artists, like Bob Dylan, James Taylor, or Judy Collins, we took notice because of their music and lyrics.
All the important singer-songwriters of that era are featured in this film, in small and larger parts.
A thoroughly enjoyable film, the only downside is to see how all those cute young men and young women singers I remember from the 1960s have become old men and women. A quick look in the mirror confirms that I have too!
